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How to Nail the No-Makeup Makeup Look Once and for All

We’ve already established that celebrities seem to possess a gene that allows them to be maddeningly perfect without an ounce of makeup on. But what about those of us who don’t wake up with naturally dewy skin, wide-awake eyes, and flushed cheeks akin to a newborn cherub? We, too, want to look like we #wokeuplike this, even when the reality happens to be eye bags the size of small countries and skin that looks as hungover as we feel. The answer, in this case, is simple (and, no, it's not Facetune): your makeup bag.

A world without makeup would probably be less interesting, and it would definitely be less fun. Though we might be biased, we love the ability makeup has to transform a face, but also the more low-key ability it has to make us appear chipper and wide-awake, even when we're anything but. No-makeup makeup isn't going away anytime soon (see: the runways for the past, oh, six seasons or so), but it can be trickier to pull off than you'd imagine.

To help guide us, we tapped celebrity makeup artist Erin Ayanian Monroe (she’s worked with everyone from the Fanning sisters to Lucy Liu) and asked her exactly how we could channel our inner Queen Bey for a #flawless mug IRL.

Click through the slideshow above for a step-by-step guide on mastering the no-makeup makeup look, once and for all.

#1: Forget Foundation

When it comes to a natural-looking complexion, we were a bit shocked by what Monroe suggested: "I love to forego foundation altogether for everyday life," she reveals. Instead, she suggests smoothing and brightening your complexion with a gentle exfoliant, like Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant ($52), and then finishing with a matte, oil-free sunscreen (she loves Neutrogena's Dry-Touch line because it works well under makeup).

#2: Conceal (Smartly)

Monroe says the trick to a fresh, even complexion is your concealer brush. "A small, flat, brush [with synthetic bristles will] spot-conceal any blemishes or redness," she says. For dark circles, however, she suggests patting it in with your finger: "Then just finish with a light dusting of translucent powder in your T-zone and you're good to go with colour!"

#3: Choose Cream Eye Shadow

"For bright, wide-awake eyes, start with a cream eye shadow in a shade as close as possible to your own skin tone," Monroe says. "It can have a touch of shimmer or not, depending on your taste." Monroe says to blend the shadow up from your lash line, fading as it gets closer to your brows.

#5: Groom Your Lashes and Brows

"A good eyelash curler is a must!" Monroe says. "The best ones are by Shu Uemura and Suqqu." As for mascara, she suggests adding a coat to the top lashes only, and to brush your brows up and away from your face with a spoolie or clear brow gel, like Anastasia's Clear Brow Gel ($40). (Speaking of which, here's a simple guide to getting the best brows of your life.)

#6: Brush Up on Your Blush Technique

Monroe suggests reaching for a cream blush instead of powder to get a natural-looking glow. "You can apply it with a synthetic bristled brush or your fingers—whatever you're more comfortable with," she says. Start at the apple of your cheeks, and blend back and upward toward your hairline, keeping most of the colour in the front of your face for a youthful look. "Imagine where your face flushes after exercise and use that as a guideline," she says.